President’s Message
FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK
Dear Members and friends,
I hope you are all looking forward to the summer. The 2011 members’ directory is ready and should be mailed out shortly.
To provide relief from the summer heat, preparations are on in full swing for the “Indian Mela” on August 27th at the Stars and Stripes Park at Lake Hefner in Oklahoma City. This event has always been a success and we are working on making it even more enjoyable this year. We are looking for members to put up stalls representing various regions of India. For stall information and any suggestions, please contact Sujata at 478-2087 by the 1st of August. This has always been a great success with food, entertainment, kite flying, face painting, games for children, and lots more. More information will come as we near the event date.
Diwali Nite 2011 will be held on November 5th, 2011 at the Rose State College in Midwest City. We have started receiving requests for time slots in the program. In order to accommodate more participants and maximize the entertainment, it will be required that each item includes of a group of at least four performers and an individual performer cannot participate in more than two programs. The final date to submit an entry for consideration is the 1st of October, 2011. Also, every participant at the Diwali Nite will be required to be a member of the association. For all information and any suggestions, please contact Gitika at 285-7199, Sujata at 478-2087 or Neeta at 360-8620.
The Association participated in the Asia Society of Oklahoma’s 25th Annual Asian Festival on Saturday May 14, 2011 at Sheraton Oklahoma City Hotel Mall in downtown Oklahoma City. We put up a booth show casing arts and crafts from India and put up performances in the competitive and demonstration segments. Ashi Gulati, was awarded first place in the Junior Miss Asia talent Competition. Ashi performed a Madhuri Dixit number – “Aaja Nach Le”. Neha Pulella came in 3rd for her dance performance. IAOK congratulates Ashi and Neha for their wonderful performances.
Since it is May, it is graduation season. I wish all our graduates the very best as they move on the colleges, universities or to new careers.
We are working on a major entertainment program of international fame, coming all the way from India, sometime in August. We are working on the logistics and will keep you all updated. We are also looking into an evening of entertainment with our local talent sometime this fall.
Vivek Khanna has taken the lead and is working on the logistics for a picnic and movie nights this year. Please contact him or any office bearer for more information or any suggestions.
I would like each member to be a “brand ambassador” and help in expanding the membership base of the Association. If you have any feedback or ideas that could help the Association do a better job, please contact me or any of the Executive Committee Members. Please encourage all your friends and acquaintances that are not yet members to become members and enjoy all the benefits of membership. With the generous support of members we can accomplish more in our mission to keep Indian traditions and culture alive in Oklahoma.
With best wishes to all,
Rakesh Prasad
President